RESIDENTS are protesting against plans for a new plasterboard recycling centre to be built in their village.

More than 25 residents in Winston, Teesdale, have objected to the plans which were submitted by the Agricore business, at Hill Top Farm.

Business owner, Ian Bainbridge plans to construct a new building to recycle gypsum, which is found in plasterboard, for five years at which point he says it will be returned to agricultural use.

Mr Bainbridge’s agents, R&K Wood Planning LLP, said the application was being submitted to allow the unique business to expand after its success following a previous application, which restricted the amount of tonnage allowed at the site, in 2011.

She said the application would let the business develop before moving to an alternative site while it would also create at least four more jobs.

However, residents are objecting to the plans and have recently met with their county councillors, George Richardson and James Rowlandson, to express their concerns.

Resident, Iain Dalton, said villagers were concerned about added pressure on the village’s 17th Century bridge with the amount of lorries passing in and out as well as the implications on their health with dust from the site already being a problem.

“The main concern is the amount of heavy goods traffic going through the village,” the 67-year-old said.

“We have also found cases where people have had to use their inhalers a lot more regularly while in the village, for example, a lot of youngsters who go to college and hardly have to use them but then come home and have to.”

He added: “If the planning application goes ahead it’s only going to get worse – everything is stretched to the maximum.”

Winston Gate resident and builder, Phil Harrison, also had concerns about the amount of dust coming from the site as his family home backs onto it.

“We get the brunt of all the dust and some mornings your cars are white with dust especially when it rains,” the 58-year-old, who is also an asthma sufferer, said.

“I also think it will never happen when they talk about returning the land back in five years.

“It’s too much of a nice area to spoil it with a recycling plant in the middle of it.”

The application is expected to be considered by Durham County Council later in the year.

Neither Mr Bainbridge or his agents could be contacted for comment today (August 3).